Continuance granted for alleged drug dealer

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A change of plea hearing for a Stilesville man accused of dealing the prescription painkiller OxyContin has been continued.

Timothy Calvert, 48, was slated to appear in court Thursday to enter pleas on charges of Class B felony dealing in Schedule II controlled substance and Class D felony possession of a controlled substance. Initially, Putnam County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley denied Calvert's attorney Sidney Tongret's request for a continuance, but reconsidered and granted it Wednesday morning.

Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said no plea agreements have been offered in the case.

Class B felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison; Class D felonies carry a maximum sentence of three years.

OxyContin is a brand name of a time-release formula of the opioid analgesic oxycodone. It is normally prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain.

Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, oxycodone is a Schedule II drug, which means it has a high potential for abuse, currently has an accepted medical use in treatment in the United States and abuse of the drug could lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Calvert was charged after controlled drug buys in April 2008 during which officers from the Clay County Sheriff's Department and the Brazil City Police Department partnered with a confidential informant who allegedly bought pills from Calvert at a gas station on the northwest corner of U.S. 231 and U.S. 40 in Putnam County.

Calvert was arrested on Aug. 6. The next day, he posted a $2,000 cash bond and was released from jail.

Calvert turned himself in to authorities on Feb. 6 after he missed a pretrial conference on Feb. 5 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Calvert said he missed court due to medical issues, and Headley released Calvert on his own recognizance.

Calvert has an extensive criminal history in Putnam County, most of it drug-related.

He has been convicted of and done jail time for dealing in marijuana, unlawful use of a police radio, operating while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug and dealing in a controlled substance.

All his prior convictions took place between April of 1991 and March of 1996.

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